Gay Stuff : Gay Pride
This weekend I was discussing with friends about wether we would go to NYC Pride or Toronto Pride this year (we are all from Montreal). Most of us also participate in Montreal Pride festivities like the parade, the parties, the shows etc, but we like to get out of town for a weekend and taste the Pride flavor of another city. I was a bit surprised when 2 of them said they didn’t want to go to either and would not participate in Montreal Pride either, saying it was too …. Gay.
I kinda get what they were saying even though I don’t agree. I understand “Prides” can be tacky a bit or very commercial, but I think it’s the time of the year where you can “fully” be who you are. If you are a cross dresser, you can totally walk your heels freely in the streets, if you are a bear couple into leather you can wear your leather attire without any problems, if you are a muscle boy, you can wear your neon pink tank top without hesitation and that is what I like about it.
I think that I also do participate in Pride festivities for those who can’t! In many homophobic countries, gay people are emprisonned or even killed for being who they are and when I participate in Gay Prides around the world, I give them a bit of hope that one day things will change.
Do you participate in Gay Pride in your city? Do you travel to other Gay Prides in the world?
Dave
Just went to our Pride festival in Buffalo NY yesterday A day to feel completely open. Have also been to Pride in Palm Springs Ca
I personally do not participate or checkout the parades, I’ve gone to a couple and was not all that impressed with the whole thing. But that is me. I realise some countrys don’t allow people to be who they are, but I believe there are countrys who are more free in acceptance then we are here in the states. Between our government hipocrits and our churches here with the need to keep the hate going, we as free americans aren’t as free as most would lead to believe.
Yup. Went to my local Pride, and had a good time. I’m going to Chicago’s Pride later this month. I just enjoy the variety of people, the eye candy, and the vibe of the events.
Of course Pride is tacky and over the top. It’s a party!
I think alot of the negative reaction to Pride that I’ve seen in the gay community I think comes from this idea that we have to show how “normal” we are to be deserving of equal rights. Which I think is stupid for two reasons:
First, we don’t have to be anything to be deserving of equal rights. We are deserving of equal rights because we’re people.
Second, Pride is a party. Most Pride activities aren’t representative of the normal lives of the participants anymore than that “sexy nurse” at the Halloween party represents Straight Sally’s lifestyle. It’s a celebration. It’s supposed to be over the top and beyond ‘normal.’ Otherwise it’d just be another day.
I wished Gay PRIDE festivities were in every city on the planet. Im myself ALL YEAR LONG, but PRIDE is a party to me and I do enjoy going to NYC; Boston, MA; and sometimes Providence, RI. 🙂
Yes I have been to numerous pride festivals in my day. NYC, Philly, and Asbury Park which was last Sunday. As I do get the idea that they can be tacky and camp sometimes, its nice that we can be what we are and not worry about anything. We must also understand that the idea of “pride” also has to do with all the people who suffered to get us to this point. Stonewall being one of them. If it wasn’t for them and what they went through, I don’t think we would be where we are today.
Nope…too gay. Many of those people do not speak for me. I don’t approve of guys dressed as nuns, etc.
I have done DC’s pride, NYC pride and Atlanta’s pride. after awhile its gets old. Make room for the younger generation
Well no, we certainly don’t have pride in my city. I’d have to travel at least 2-3 hours to be at any pride event. It’s not really my thing, though. You say we can “fully” be ourselves, but that’s definitely not myself. All the flamboyance and promiscuity just isn’t my bag. To each their own, I say, though.
Here in Oklahoma City, being seen in any celebration for gay pride is marvelous and you see so many different ages and types of gays out to celebrate. Being a gay veteran a few years back I was asked to be grand marshall at the parade–I felt so honored and the pride committee had set up interview on tv for me at the veterans memorial here in OKC. I felt so proud to do this–all that is gay should feel proud to represent their community no matter where it is.
I live in Los Angeles and pride is this coming weekend. Great fun, and just about guaranteed to meet great people you’d not have met otherwise. Kinda like a retreat for our kind. Caring about what society deems as “too gay” is overrated.
Gay pride does nothing but promote the stereotypes of being gay. You said it yourself in your you second paragraph about the muscle boy in the hot pink tee shirt or the bears wearing leather,FOLLOWED by you saying that you go to these events to promote gay pride (for whatever reason), but yet your first comment was all about these labels and stereotypes. Gay pride events do nothing to help the gay community, actually it promotes the negative aspects of the community, such as the consent drinking, drug use, 3 somes, group sex, and so on. While the gay community does and stands for more than just that.Besides why go to an gay pride event and have pride for that weekend when i have gay pride all day every day & bust my behind to break those stereotypes all year long?
Pride is something to be proud of. Taking time to let your freak flag fly no matter what color it is, is muy importante! This year I am so proud I am planning to attend 3 or 4 prides around the North California area. San Francisco pride is like nothing else out there and if you get a chance in your life to attend Ill be Proudly standing at the top of Dolores Park waiting for you to come stand proudly with me. Yay for Gay!
I do agree with your comment Seth, that the intentions behind gay pride doesn’t do enough to promote a positive image of the gay community, but its people like you and me who be on our grind to change that on the daily basis, so gays can have that little bit of pride for that weekend. So many gays only have pride during gay pride event(s) and don’t have it before or after gay pride, let alone that a positive image of being gay is having 3somes, group sex, drug abuse, or just getting drunk.. Keep on your grind and keep your pride all year around (like you have) & continue to break those stereotypes & negative aspects of gay pride
I attend every Columbus pride. Yes at times it may be overly gay, but that is why I love it. I am with friends, family and others lukr me who just want to be who they are without fear. So why not sit back and enjoy the festivities, or better yet march in the parade
i recommend going to Columbus Ohio pride….. it is nice full of fun and festivities …… i’ve been to many other festivals but this is the nicest …
I have not gone to ones in California where I live for a couple years now. I support the right of people to participate in the event, but for me, I worry that negative stereotypes about LGBT people are being perpetuated. My sexuality should be a non-issue, but Pride is all about making it an in-your-face, raised-middle-finger kind of issue. The parades do not effectively showcase LGBT people as very much a part of the fabric of society, but instead media coverage usually focuses more on the freak show aspects which diminish and degrade LGBT people and therefore subjugate them. The irony is that LGBT people via their participation are making themselves separate and unequal. The last one I went to was also attended by many straight Liberals which felt like they were trying to be trendy or to show their tolerance in a “Some of my best friends are gay…” kind of tokenism. LGBT people have to transcend stereotypes and ironically need to be more inclusive politically. People who wish to participate have my support for their freedom of speech, but Pride is not the most effective tool for building acceptance.
Seth said it all… I totally agree.
Gay pride is great, but the only thing it really does is emphasize the stereotypes us gay people get. The whole “bears”, the feminine guys who like crossdressing, the old pervert gay men, the overly happy gay guy, all of those are what you mostly see at gay pride along with guys in erotic outfits that shouldn’t be worn out in public because there are little kids that attend these evnts people, it doesn’t make the gay community look that great, it makes us look like crazy horny gay people.
i hate PRIDE. i live near san francisco. same ole crap every year. nothing new. i fall asleep.
I have to say that I never attended a pride celebration till I came to San Diego, and have been to a few others since. San Diego Pride is the largest and best organized I have ever seen. It is the largest civic event in the city and is completely supported by the city. The reason that I go every year is because it is the one time of the year that everybody seems to drop all the attitude and pretenses. Everybody is just here to have fun.
I have found that gay prides vary greatly. Smaller prides usually are more about community and have a family like atmosphere. The larger events do feel like parties with a march added in. If you want to get a taste of gay pride, smaller events like Raleigh-Durham and Jackson, MS are better than Atlanta and NYC. The big cities offer the parties and entertainment.
I agree with Seth and do not choose the reinforce the stereotypes.
Did Pride this weekend in SLC and sad to say but think it is the last for me. the parade, second biggest one in SLC now, is good but since I am not a club person anymore I don’t know people at the grounds so it is walk around see thins I can’t buy or guys I can’t have and do nothing. Parade I will go to the rest not for me.
I have attended a few in my lifetime, some in the States and others in a few European countries, but no longer. None of what I have witnessed has represented who I am as a gay man. I don’t do this flamboyant scene, or the bear scene, or the leather scene, or the muscle jock scene, or anything else typified by gay pride events. I don’t fit into any of these scenes and I don’t feel the need to flaunt who I am to the world because I have nothing to prove to the world. As Tyler Perry has said, “What others think of me is none of my business”. My pride encompasses all of who I am, not just my gay self.
pride is meh. i neither hate it or like it. i just get drunk and tell people what i think of them and have lots of sex.
I always go to pride every year. I live in Toronto and live right in the village. This year as it has been almost every year, I won’t only be going, but I am also a volunteer Marshall for the weekend party’s (Fri., Sat, and Sun) There are many things I like and dislike about the festivities, but I realize it isn’t just about me or my feelings about certain things. The truth of the matter is, that it’s a celebration and most importantly, provides a very safe space to be yourself with friends, family and loved ones.
I went once to one in my city and that was enough. I was ashamed, embarrassed and appalled at the lewd behavior, lopsided political views, and tacky feel to the entire thing. I didn’t want anyone to associate me with any of it.
While I think the parade perpetuates the stereotypes … My company participates in the parade to show their support……thats why I walk in the parade.
Thanks for reminding me that going to Pride is not just about me, but for others that do not get a chance to be themselves. Sometimes I do not approve of the crazier things that happen, but if one day I should decide to be a little bit more out there, I should be able to do so without a second thought…because of my humanity.
I almost convinced myself to NOT go to the recent Pride Parade when a friend of mine encouraged me to go REPRESENT, and then I got the point. I’m glad I went even though I don’t party and drink at all.
I think it does need to be supported!
I agree with Seth & Walter.
Being gay is just part of who I am. It isn’t something to be proud or ashamed of. It is what it is. I am what I am. The in your face approach does nothing really to advance acceptance etc IMHO.
Here in charlotte county florida we r having our first one. I cant wait to be a part of it. I am very proud of who i am. My family will also be there for support.
Have never been to one but we would like to check it out sometime. We have seen they have one in our area but have no idea when it is. (Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater, FL area). :/
NYC Pride has turned into a 5 hour caravan of non-stop advertisements and or causes that disguise themselves under the false pretense of being supportive
of the gay community . 20/30 years ago the late June parade had a lot more character and was more about freedom of expression and individuality . It was visually intriguing and you left with a feeling of acceptance and pride in your sexuality . Now in 2013 it seems to be mostly younger minority gays/lesbians that come from the burbs or the outer crossings and they do very little or nothing to contribute besides trailing on foot behind a minivan or a flatbed truck in normal street clothes just to be walking in the parade . Wish there was a little more spectacle like the old days without all the corporate bullshit .
i enjoy goin to pride, iam goin to chicgo il at the end of june,
I get the idea of why gay pride exists, but I have one very generic objection and one personal reason why I don’t attend.
Generic) Proud? I’ve never understood how one could/should be proud of being something they can’t help but be. This goes for any number of categories, including LGBT, but it seems to come up most often in these contexts.
Personal) The one time I did attend pride events (In Denver, 2006) I was generally put off and out of place. I’m too much the small-town normal dude by most measures. The flamboyancy and outward display just turned me off at it all.
I have attended our Pride Parade several times here in Chicago, it’s a much anticipated event that has people from both sides of sexuality (LGBT/Str8) everyone has a good time. I am looking forward to attending this years Parade.
Santa Cruz pride was yesterday. It’s a great opportunity for communities to come together in our little city of 55,000 and celebrate diversity and have have some fun seeing old friends and new ways of being gay. I know it’s not for everyone. I don’t go to SF Pride because it overwhelms me with crowdedness. Although NYC Pride is more spread out and feels less crowded.
Many non-gay Santa Cruz residents enjoy coming to see our small parade because it’s fun. It seems good for communities to come together in ways that we normally don’t and I believe Pride provides a venue to celebrate diversity and educate all of us. I also believe that overcoming our stereotypes requires education.
I have never been to a gay pride….but I wud love to go to one next year when I come out of the closet…can’t wait for that moment …..!!!
There is a gay pride parade in my city is not much its very small and the parade is not watched. It doesn’t even get noted on local news. I have seen some of the activities and the dance because it is held in a park across the street from my office. It is a joke they had this big dance planed and there was one black guy in a white suit dancing alone in some sort if spastic epileptic fit. There were a bunch of limos ferrying people in and out but no dancing.
My issue with pride parades is that they show and give reason to people to think we are weird, sick, decedent, and perverted. I’m me we want to be accepted buy for every normal guys in the parade there are 3 guys in 1000lb sequence peacock suits or a float full of mostly naked guys in g-strings with there dick flopping around also leather daddy’s wearing ass less leather pants and a harness and a dog collar. That is the people that end up representing us. Nobody sees the guy that is so butch and seemingly straight cause the only person that knows he is gay is the guy fucking him at night. He is out but doesn’t flaunt it. The parade reminds me of this guy at work that used to be gay and loud and horrible because he new he could get away with because of the fear if a discrimination suit. I was able to deal with as a co-worker when I told him to tone down a shut up. I was called in for a discrimination meeting but had it drop once I told them I was gay.
The basic is gay pride parties or one of the few orgies out there that everyone can see and I feel unless they are given a major over haul they do more damage to the cause then help n
Haven’t been to a pride event in years. Just don’t feel the need to be in a crowd of people. Half of which act like idiots. I deal with enough idiots at work. Don’t need to deal with any outside of work.
The Pride Movement gets in its own way. Participants in the parades and the Movement too often present gays as loud, obnoxious, wild, and entitled. “We’re here! We’re queer! And you are just going to have to live with it!” Demanding respect instead of earning it.
Acceptance of gays has come a long way in recent decades, but not because of the militant work of a few. That greater acceptance has come because of gays who live their lives without playing the Gay Card or throwing the gay flag in other’s faces. They deomstrate that they are responsible, respectful, hard-working people who should have everything the rest of society has. A natural movement instead of a pushy one.
Pride parades are just that…parades of the few positives and many negatives of gay culture. Unfortunately there are those that assume it’s ok parading around half naked, openly (disgustingly) making out and even screwing random strangers infront of crowds. I have been to many, many prides in small towns and large cities. In all cases there were those that thought it was an occasion to “Gay It Up” and be as offensive to straight people as possible. I cringe when I see children being brought to these events as even though they are promoted as family friendly entertainment, what most turn into is a hook-up fest.
hey Haywood- heteros flaunt themselves in public all the time and we gays have to look at it.
A couple of thoughts in response to what others have commented:
“The irony is that LGBT people via their participation are making themselves separate and unequal”
Gay people deserve to be treated like people BECAUSE WE ARE PEOPLE. Even if all pride is the horrible debauchary some people here are claiming, it doesn’t take away a HUMAN BEING’S entitlement to HUMAN rights. LGBT people (whether participating in Pride events or not) are NOT “making themselves separate and unequal.” That’s utterly and totally ridiculous. No human has to EARN human rights, whether by conforming to the majority or in any other way.
“Pride is not the most effective tool for building acceptance.”
Pride isn’t intended to be a tool for building acceptance. Sometimes that can be a side effect, but it’s not the goal.
“I’ve never understood how one could/should be proud of being something they can’t help but be.”
Even today I still frequently encounter messages telling me that I’m wrong or evil for something I can’t help but be. Yet growing up through that (and it’s much better now than it was), I still managed to become a healthy, well-adjusted, successful and happy man. Am I proud of overcoming the obstacles put in place by other’s reaction to my sexuality? You better believe it.
“That is the people that end up representing us.”
That is because the people who don’t fit the stereotypes they are deriding decide to stay home. It’s hollow to whine about not being represented if you won’t bother to show up. Don’t rely on others to represent you; you have to represent yourself.
I have regularly gone to our local Pride Celebration here in the Tampa Bay Area (St Pete Pride) this year I will not be here because of family obligations BUT will be close to NYC for the 29th so Im really seriously thinking of going there cause I will be near by and would like to attend, I have friends who are gonna be there so seriously considering it.
I’m a 21 year old who recently is deciding whether I support Pride Festivals. I do like the progressiveness of dropping “gay’ from “Gay Pride” in order to my inclusive. I just recently realized that change.
My dislike is the feeling that these festivals are capitalizing on our sexual orientation. In my belief, the origins of Pride was to have a safe and open place were the queer community could express themselves. Though that stay stays true, I don’t know if I agree with the changing of tickets in order to enter the festival. Pride is not what it was before. It receives much attention in the media and the attendance is amazing. I noticed many Budlight advertisement targeting the queer community with the use of rainbow colors. Though I am fully aware that it cost large amounts of money in order to production such a large function, I wondering how much profit is made within every festival, and how much is truly being put back in the queer community? These are such random thoughts that have recently come to mind, I haven’t done any research…but I hope to find the time to do so.
Maybe I’m just a cheap college student that doesn’t want to pay $20 to get in. haha .
I’ve never attended Pride before but many years ago I inadvertantly stumbled on the Ottawa Pride festivities, but quickly got out of there when I realized what was going on, since I had not come out yet to family or friends.
I’ve since come out to close friends and I’m happy to report I’ll officially “receive my Gay Card” in a few weeks when I attend my first ever Pride in San Francisco. I’m really excited about it since my more “veteran” gay friends will be there to hold my hand and keep me out of trouble/harm’s way. LOL
The only thing more annoying than gay guys who get out-of-control at gay Pride are holier-than-thou str8-acting “non-scene” scolds who complain about gay pride.
There are great and meaningful moments at Pride — Mary Griffith marching with PFLAG after the suicide of her son Bobby comes to mind. The moment in “Prayers for Bobby” when this former homophobe sees a young, teenage parade as her son Bobby, whom she walks over and hugs is heartbreakingly poignant. And awesome.
But it’s mostly an excuse to get drunk and have sex. Which is fine, too. Nobody whines about straight people doing exactly the same on Mardi Gras, Spring Break, New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, St. Patty’s Day etc. Progress is when people recognize gay Pride and its excess as a normal release of energy, just like they do with straight people and their many days of excess. Why should gays have to be be Puritan 24/7/365 when heteros sure as crap don’t?
Don’t like Pride. Don’t go. But please come down from your cross and spare everybody the whining about how terrible Pride is. I attended Pride this year with three STRAIGHT friends. They thought it was a hoot, and afterwards they still think gays deserve equality. So relax.
Gay Pride, brought to you by Comcast, Budweiser, and Monsanto Corp.
“Gay Pride” events seem to be less and less about gay people and our culture and more and more about corporations (who may or may not have gay-friendly workplace policies) using the opportunity to micro-market to our demographic. It’s a lamentable change, imho.